The transition to parenthood: Impact on couples’ romantic relationships
Abstract
The birth of the first baby-often referred to as the transition to parenthood (TTP)-is both a time of great joy and great stress for new parents. Although the literature is mixed, the preponderance of evidence suggests that the TTP has a negative effect on relationship functioning for most couples. However, as children age, the relationship functioning of parents and non-parents converge. Notably, there are important moderators of this average trajectory; couples with higher levels of pre-birth relationship problems, insecurely attached parents, temperamentally difficult infants, and TTP following biological birth rather than adoption are associated with larger post-birth declines. Fortunately, several effective couple-focused interventions are available to help buffer the negative effects of the TTP.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The arrival of children can prompt relationships to change considerably.
“Social. The arrival of children can prompt relationships to change considerably (e.g., divorce, losing/gaining friends, mending family ties) (27–31).”
From A critical need for the concept of matrescence in perinatal psychiatry (2024) · cites this paper as [28]
Cites
When partners become parents: the big life change for couples
(1992) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.30-1572 · Cited by 829 · see citing works
The effect of the transition to parenthood on relationship quality: An 8-year prospective study.
Doss, B. D., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Markman, H. J. (2009) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0013969 · Cited by 656 · see citing works
Self-citationSanchez, L. A., & Thomson, E. (1997) · Gender & Society · doi:10.1177/089124397011006003 · Cited by 464 · see citing works
Shapiro, A. F., Gottman, J. M., & Carrère, S. (2000) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037//0893-3200.14.1.59 · Cited by 450 · see citing works
When partners become parents: the big life change for couples
(2000) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.37-4182 · Cited by 405 · see citing works
Changes in relationship satisfaction across the transition to parenthood: a meta-analysis
Mitnick, D. M., Heyman, R. E., & Smith Slep, A. M. (2009) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0017004 · Cited by 391 · see citing works
The National Lesbian Family Study: 2. Interviews with mothers of toddlers.
Gartrell, N., Banks, A., Hamilton, J. A., Reed, N., Bishop, H. N., & Rodas, C. (1999) · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry · doi:10.1037/h0080410 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
The National Lesbian Family Study: 3. Interviews with mothers of five-year-olds.
Gartrell, N., Banks, A., Reed, N., Hamilton, J. A., Rodas, C., & Deck, A. (2000) · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry · doi:10.1037/h0087823 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Gay Men Who Become Fathers via Surrogacy: The Transition to Parenthood
Bergman, K., Rubio, R. J., Green, R., & Padrón, E. (2010) · Journal of GLBT Family Studies · doi:10.1080/15504281003704942 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Becoming a Parent and Relationship Satisfaction: A Longitudinal Dyadic Perspective
Keizer, R., & Schenk, N. (2012) · Journal of Marriage and the Family · doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2012.00991.x · Cited by 136 · see citing works
A Meta‐analytic Study of Couple Interventions During the Transition to Parenthood
Pinquart, M., & Teubert, D. (2010) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2010.00597.x · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Gaining a Child: Comparing the Experiences of Biological Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Stepparents
Ceballo, R., Lansford, J. E., Abbey, A., & Stewart, A. J. (2003) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2004.00007.x · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Changes in Marital Satisfaction Across the Transition to Parenthood
Kohn, J. L., Rholes, S. W., Simpson, J. A., Martin, A., Tran, S., & Wilson, C. L. (2012) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167212454548 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Petch, J. F., Halford, W. K., Creedy, D. K., & Gamble, J. A. (2012) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0028781 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Relationship Satisfaction Trajectories Across the Transition to Parenthood Among Low‐Risk Parents
Don, B. P., & Mickelson, K. D. (2014) · Journal of Marriage and the Family · doi:10.1111/jomf.12111 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
The transition to parenthood and well-being: The impact of partner status and work hour transitions.
Keizer, R., Dykstra, P. A., & Poortman, A. (2010) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0020414 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Coparenting quality during the first three months after birth: The role of infant sleep quality.
McDaniel, B. T., & Teti, D. M. (2012) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0030707 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Goldberg, A. E., Smith, J. Z., & Kashy, D. A. (2010) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0019615 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Predictors of Change in Relationship Satisfaction during the Transition to Parenthood
Trillingsgaard, T., Baucom, K. J. W., & Heyman, R. E. (2014) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/fare.12089 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Doss, B. D., Cicila, L. N., Hsueh, A. C., Morrison, K. R., & Carhart, K. (2014) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0037311 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Self-citationSmooth Versus Rocky Transitions to Parenthood: Family Systems in Developmental Context
Holmes, E. K., Sasaki, T., & Hazen, N. L. (2013) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/fare.12041 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Patterns of marital relationship change across the transition from one child to two.
Volling, B. L., Oh, W., Gonzalez, R., Kuo, P. X., & Yu, T. (2015) · Couple and Family Psychology Research and Practice · doi:10.1037/cfp0000046 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Transition to Parenthood and Conjugal Life
Bouchard, G., Boudreau, J., & Hébert, R. (2006) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x06290855 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Lavner, J. A., Waterman, J., & Peplau, L. A. (2014) · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry · doi:10.1037/h0098853 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Goldberg, A. E., Kinkler, L. A., Moyer, A. M., & Weber, E. R. (2014) · Professional Psychology Research and Practice · doi:10.1037/a0037443 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Commitment across the transition to parenthood among married and cohabiting couples.
Dush, C. M. K., RHOADES, G. K., Mernitz, S., & Schoppe‐Sullivan, S. J. (2013) · Couple and Family Psychology Research and Practice · doi:10.1037/cfp0000006 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Self-citationKan, M. L., & Feinberg, M. E. (2014) · Violence and Victims · doi:10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-12-00162 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Relationship Interventions During the Transition to Parenthood: Issues of Timing and Efficacy
Trillingsgaard, T., Baucom, K. J. W., Heyman, R. E., & Elklit, A. (2012) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2012.00730.x · Cited by 26 · see citing works
A longitudinal study of conflict in new parents: The role of attachment
Rholes, W. S., Kohn, J. L., & Simpson, J. A. (2014) · Personal Relationships · doi:10.1111/pere.12023 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Married and cohabiting parents’ well-being
Stavrova, O., & Fetchenhauer, D. (2014) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407514541072 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Father Darwin: Effects of Children on Men, Viewed from an Evolutionary Perspective
Gray, P. B., & Crittenden, A. N. (2014) · Fathering A Journal of Theory Research and Practice about Men as Fathers · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Lévesque, S., Bisson, V., Charton, L., & Fernet, M. (2020) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-020-01727-z · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Self-esteem and relationship satisfaction during the transition to motherhood.
van Scheppingen, M. A., Denissen, J. J. A., Chung, J. M., Tambs, K., & Bleidorn, W. (2018) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/pspp0000156 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
“In addition to gender differences, several other factors have been found to strengthen or buffer the negative impact of the transition to parenthood on parents’ relationship satisfaction (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundWilliamson, T., Wagstaff, D., Goodwin, J., & Smith, N. (2022) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/s11199-022-01345-7 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
“Consistent with previous literature (Doss & Rhoades, 2017), some participants reported a sense of dissatisfaction in their relationship.”
ResultAsselmann, E., Kunas, S. L., Wïttchen, H., & Martini, J. (2020) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237609 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Rosen, N., Bailey, K. M., & Muise, A. (2018) · Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2017.1321732 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
“Although researchers have examined predictors of relationship adjustment in the transition to parenthood (for a review, see Doss & Rhoades, 2017), the current findings contribute to a sparse literature examining factors that may promote sexual satisfaction during this period (Hipp et al., 2012;…”
BackgroundSexual well-being and perceived stress in couples transitioning to parenthood: A dyadic analysis
Tavares, I., Schlagintweit, H. E., Nobre, P., & Rosen, N. (2019) · International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2019.07.004 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
“The transition to parenthood is a demanding and stressful life transition that may place couples at risk for psychological and relational problems (Da Costa et al., 2019; Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Vismara et al., 2016).”
BackgroundDon, B. P., Eller, J., Simpson, J. A., Fredrickson, B. L., Algoe, S. B., Rholes, W. S., & Mickelson, K. D. (2021) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/pspi0000371 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Factors that contribute to the maintenance or decline of relationship satisfaction
Righetti, F., Faure, R., Zoppolat, G., Meltzer, A. L., & McNulty, J. K. (2022) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-022-00026-2 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Asselmann, E., & Specht, J. (2020) · European Journal of Personality · doi:10.1002/per.2269 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“The transition to parenthood relates to many challenges and changes (Doss et al., 2009; Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Hutteman et al., 2014).”
BackgroundSalo, S., Pajulo, M., Vinzce, L., Raittila, S., Sourander, J., & Kalland, M. (2021) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-021-01934-2 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Relationship satisfaction and commitment in the transition to parenthood: A couple-centered approach
Leonhardt, N. D., Rosen, N. O., Dawson, S. J., Kim, J. J., Johnson, M. D., & Impett, E. A. (2022) · Journal of Marriage and Family · doi:10.1111/jomf.12785 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“A meta-analysis (Mitnick et al., 2009) and a systematic review (Doss & Rhoades, 2017) give weight to concerns about this period, finding that the relationship satisfaction declines on average.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialTognasso, G., Gorla, L., Ambrosini, C., Figurella, F., Carli, P. D., Parolin, L. A. L., Sarracino, D., & Santona, A. M. R. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19159651 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“Psychological challenges connected to the transition to parenthood are mainly connected to the development of different identities (self, parent, and partner) which can be difficult to handle, and which can require some time to become comfortable with [3,11].”
BackgroundRosen, N., Williams, L., Vannier, S. A., & Mackinnon, S. (2020) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-020-01667-1 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
A critical need for the concept of matrescence in perinatal psychiatry
Athan, A. M. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1364845 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Mangialavori, S., Cacioppo, M., Terrone, G., & O’Hara, M. W. (2021) · Stress and Health · doi:10.1002/smi.3036 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Tan, E. S., McIntosh, J. E., Kothe, E. J., Opie, J. E., & Olsson, C. A. (2017) · Attachment & Human Development · doi:10.1080/14616734.2017.1401651 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“…literature on the experience of the couple relationship from pregnancy to the postnatal period (e.g. Belsky & Rovine, 1990; Cowan & Cowan, 2000; Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Lawrence, Rothman, Cobb, & Bradbury, 2010; Twenge, Campbell, & Foster, 2003), little research explores continuity in the…”
BackgroundFávero, M., Lemos, L., Moreira, D., Ribeiro, F. N., & Sousa-Gomes, V. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.723823 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“These result from a variety of causes linked to individual characteristics, communication, the couple’s routines, and surrounding contexts (Costa et al., 2016; Doss and Rhoades, 2017), causing damage to the couple’s bond (Warach and Josephs, 2019).”
BackgroundTissera, H., Auger, E., Séguin, L., Kramer, M., & Lydon, J. (2020) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2020.1766040 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“…2020 KEYWORDS Transition to motherhood; relationship satisfaction; postpartum stress; postpartum health The arrival of a new baby is an important developmental transition and this trajectory of change may not be the same for all (e.g., Don et al., 2014; Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Spinelli et al., 2016).”
BackgroundCurran, M. A., Li, X., Barnett, M. A., Kopystynska, O., Chandler, A. B., & LeBaron‐Black, A. B. (2021) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/fam0000821 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Cross-day influences between couple closeness and coparenting support among new parents.
Le, Y., Fredman, S. J., McDaniel, B. T., Laurenceau, J., & Feinberg, M. E. (2018) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/fam0000489 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“As noted by others (e.g., Doss & Rhoades, 2017), the transition to parenthood is a unique window of opportunity for prevention efforts designed to enhance the coparenting relationship and/or prevent relationship declines.”
Marsh, L., Brown, M. J., & McCann, E. (2020) · Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities · doi:10.1111/jppi.12328 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“…of the evidence in the area of parenting has focused on the views and experiences of mothers’ (Christopher, Umemura, Mann, Jacobvitz & Hazen, 2015; Doss & Rhoades, 2017), or a combination of mothers and fathers as care givers (Christopher et al., 2015; Coughlin, & Sethares, 2017; Doss & Rhoades,…”
BackgroundTomfohr‐Madsen, L. M., Giesbrecht, G. F., Madsen, J. W., MacKinnon, A., Le, Y., & Doss, B. D. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17030766 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“A number of individual, relationship, and infant characteristics have been shown to be associated with greater relationship declines postpartum [8].”
BackgroundSelf-citationPiotrowski, K. (2021) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/sjop.12779 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“…are subject to parental stress, fatigue and limitation of the ability to satisfy their own needs, which can even lead to emotional disorders and parental burnout (Antonucci & Mikus, 1988; Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Hutteman, Hennecke, Orth, Reitz & Specht, 2014; Roskam, Raes & Mikolajczak, 2017).”
BackgroundPu, D. F., Rodriguez, C. M., & Dimperio, M. D. (2021) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/08862605211001475 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“In addition, this study involved couples in the United States across the transition into parenthood, a stressful period during a couple’s relationship (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
Romantic Relationships from Adolescence to Established Adulthood
Boisvert, S., Poulin, F., & Dion, J. (2023) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1177/21676968231174083 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“The literature is clear about the links between romantic relationships and parenthood or psychosocial factors (e.g., Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Gòmez-Lòpez et al., 2019; Seefeld et al., 2022).”
BackgroundCao, H., Yuan, X., Fine, M. A., Zhou, N., & Fang, X. (2018) · Family Process · doi:10.1111/famp.12356 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Padgett, E. A., Mahoney, A., Pargäment, K. I., & DeMaris, A. (2019) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel10030177 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“Marked variability, however, exists in couples’ adaptation to the TtP (Doss and Rhoades 2017), with much less steep declines in marital satisfaction for some than others (Don and Mickelson 2014) and a minority of couples growing closer as they respond to the challenges of integrating an infant into…”
BackgroundInfluentialYakupova, V., & Liutsko, L. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18116086 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“Studies show a decrease in marital satisfaction after childbirth [35,36].”
BackgroundKetner, S. L., Gravesteijn, C., & Verschuur, M. J. (2018) · Journal of Family Social Work · doi:10.1080/10522158.2018.1499063 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Relationship quality and parental well-being On average, couples become less satisfied with their partner relationship after the birth of their child (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Keizer, Dykstra, & Poortman, 2010; Keizer & Schenk, 2012; Mitnick, Heyman, & Smith Slep, 2009).”
BackgroundSalo, S., Lipsanen, J. O., Sourander, J., Pajulo, M., & Kalland, M. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.904409 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Most couples report a decline in relationship satisfaction during the 1st year of their infant’s life (Doss and Rhoades, 2017); childless couples with similar lengths of relationship have reported less of a decline (Lawrence et al.”
BackgroundSolberg, B., Glavin, K., Berg, R. C., & Olsvold, N. (2022) · Nursing Open · doi:10.1002/nop2.1482 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“This mirrors research showing that becoming a parent is a major adjustment that presents considerable challenges for the couple relationship (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Kluwer, 2010).”
BackgroundTavares, I. M., Rosen, N. O., Heiman, J. R., & Nobre, P. J. (2023) · Family Process · doi:10.1111/famp.12859 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Psychological well-being of identity-release egg donation parents with infants
Imrie, S., Jadva, V., & Golombok, S. E. (2019) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/dez201 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Feinberg, M. E., & Jones, D. E. (2018) · Couple and Family Psychology Research and Practice · doi:10.1037/cfp0000100 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“This conceptual model was developed in the context of family development during the transition to parenthood, which is fraught with risk for a large number of couples (Belsky & Pensky, 1988; Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
Postpartum care: Clinical considerations for improving genital and sexual health
Graziottin, A., Simone, N. D., & Guarano, A. (2024) · European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology · doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.02.037 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Lévesque, S., Bisson, V., Fernet, M., & Charton, L. (2019) · Sexual & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681994.2019.1675870 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Similar to previous studies (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Lawrence et al., 2008; Nonterah et al., 2016; Twenge, Campbell, & Foster, 2003), some of the statements revealed that for the couples who found the TtoP more difficult, becoming a parent had diminished their satisfaction with their relationship and…”
ResultRosen, N. O., Muise, M. D., Vannier, S. A., Chambers, C. T., Scott, H. M., the #postbabyhankypanky Advisory Team, Attenborough, R., Chisholm, K., Clarke, H. L., MacAulay, J., et al. (2020) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-020-01734-7 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Having a Baby: Impact on Married and Cohabiting Parents' Relationships.
Treter, M. O., Rhoades, G. K., Scott, S. B., Markman, H. J., & Stanley, S. M. (2020) · Family Process · doi:10.1111/famp.12567 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citationParenthood as a Determining Factor of Satisfaction in Couple Relationships
Urbano-Contreras, A., Martínez-González, R.-A., & Iglesias-García, M.-T. (2018) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-017-0990-3 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Schoppe‐Sullivan, S. J., Nuttall, A. K., & Berrigan, M. N. (2021) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075211048954 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“…and change in multiple dimensions of coparenting across the early months and years of parenthood, and in concert with an examination of trajectories of couple relationship satisfaction, which shows average declines yet notable variability across the transition to parenthood (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundAudet, C. M., Sack, D. E., Ndlovu, G. H., Morkel, C. P., Harris, J., Wagner, R. G., & Seabi, T. M. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0283789 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“New couples often experience a decline in relationship satisfaction in the years following childbirth, in part because they may be focusing on the child at the expense of their intimate relationship [16, 17].”
BackgroundInfluentialMahoney, A., Pargäment, K. I., & DeMaris, A. (2020) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/fam0000795 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Unmet and Exceeded Expectations for Sexual Concerns across the Transition to Parenthood
Rosen, N. O., Vannier, S. A., Johnson, M. D., McCarthy, L., & Impett, E. A. (2022) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2022.2126814 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Yet this transition presents significant challenges as couples balance the overwhelming task of caring for a newborn while also attending to their sexual and romantic relationship (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Rosen et al, 2020).”
BackgroundTornar-se Pai ou Mãe: O desenvolvimento do processo parental
Martins, C. A., Abreu, W., & Barbieri‐Figueiredo, M. D. C. (2018) · Fronteiras Journal of Social Technological and Environmental Science · doi:10.21664/2238-8869.2017v6i4.p146-161 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Postnatal quality of life — A content analysis of qualitative results to the Mother-Generated Index
Grylka‐Baeschlin, S., Meyer, T., Lengler, L., van Teijlingen, E., Pehlke‐Milde, J., & Groß, M. M. (2018) · Women and Birth · doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2018.06.003 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Partnership and transition into motherhood and parenthood are related factors because this transition, mostly initiated by the birth of the first child, affects the partnership.(26) QoLinstruments such as the SF36,(16) widely used in perinatal research but not especially designed for this life situation, have concentr…”
BackgroundResultParenthood Desire in Italian Homosexual Couples
Santona, A. M. R., Vecchi, A., Gorla, L., & Tognasso, G. (2021) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x21999691 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Although the importance of this life moment has been widely analyzed by many studies (Bleidorn et al., 2016; Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Lis et al., 2007; Pace et al.,”
BackgroundGrolleman, J. F., Gravesteijn, C., & Hoffenaar, P. J. (2022) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-022-02306-0 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Several studies indicated that, on average, couples decrease in relationship satisfaction after the birth of a child (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Kluwer, 2010; Mitnick et al., 2009).”
BackgroundVigl, J., Talamini, F., Strauß, H., & Zentner, M. R. (2022) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.12790 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Hagger, M. S., & Hamilton, K. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-24864-2_15 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Psychological Challenges of Transition to Parenthood in First-time Parents
Karimi, S., Khodabakhshi‐Koolaee, A., & Falsafinejad, M. R. (2021) · Practice in Clinical Psychology · doi:10.32598/jpcp.9.2.758.1 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Asselmann, E., Garthus‐Niegel, S., Knappe, S., & Martini, J. (2022) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.050 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Tavares, I. M., Fernandes, J., Moura, C. V., Nobre, P. J., & Carrito, M. L. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.688340 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Pregnancy and postpartum impose several biopsychosocial changes that require individuals to adjust and increase the risk of experiencing psychological and relational problems (Vismara et al., 2016; Doss and Rhoades, 2017; Da Costa et al., 2019).”
BackgroundGuzzo, K. B. (2017) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x16686136 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“While one might expect that unintended births would be detrimental for relationship functioning and thus stability, changes in relationship functioning across the transition to parenthood do not seem to vary by intendedness (for a review of this literature, see Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
Backgroundter Kuile, H., van der Lippe, T., & Kluwer, E. S. (2021) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/fare.12546 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Current Research The present study responds to the call in the transition to parenthood literature to move beyond looking at average changes and focus on identifying distinct trajectories of change (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Mitnick et al., 2009).”
BackgroundLau, Y., Fang, L., & Kwong, H. K. D. (2020) · Family Process · doi:10.1111/famp.12524 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Adult attachment and jealousy of the partner–infant relationship at the transition to parenthood
Olsavsky, A. L., Mahambrey, M. S., Berrigan, M. N., & Schoppe‐Sullivan, S. J. (2020) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407520908336 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“…conflict, fewer shared activities, declines in sexual activity, and often undesired changes in the household division of paid and unpaid labor (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Gottman & Notarius, 2002; Maas et al., 2018), which all contribute to the modest average decline in romantic relationship…”
BackgroundMarsh, L., Brown, M. J., & McCann, E. (2020) · Journal of Clinical Nursing · doi:10.1111/jocn.15368 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Dawson, S. J., Fitzpatrick, E. T., Farm, G. H.-J., & Rosen, N. O. (2023) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-023-02658-8 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“While pregnancy may be associated with novel relational and sexual challenges, we might expect even more stressors to be present after the baby is born (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Vismara et al., 2016).”
BackgroundUnintended Childbearing and Marital Instability: An Emphasis on Couples’ Intentions
Stykes, J. B., & Guzzo, K. B. (2020) · Journal of Divorce & Remarriage · doi:10.1080/10502556.2020.1768494 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“An established body of research has linked the transition to parenthood with reductions in relationship quality (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Doss et al., 2009).”
ter Kuile, H., Finkenauer, C., van der Lippe, T., & Kluwer, E. S. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.622160 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Indeed, most studies show, on average, a small but reliable decrease in relationship functioning after child-birth (for reviews, see Twenge et al., 2003; Mitnick et al., 2009; Kluwer, 2010; Doss and Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundBarton, A. W., Gong, Q., Stanley, S. M., & RHOADES, G. K. (2022) · Journal of Marital and Family Therapy · doi:10.1111/jmft.12613 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“That improvements were observed in all these domains is particularly notable given that the program was targeted to new or expectant parents – a time when relationship quality tends to decline (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundSelf-citationKarantzas, G. C., Toumbourou, J. W., Knox, L., Greenwood, C. J., & Westrupp, E. M. (2023) · Prevention Science · doi:10.1007/s11121-023-01498-1 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Furthermore, research indicates that both online programs can enhance adaptive relationship processes and relationship well-being (e.g., Braithwaite & Fincham, 2014; Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundRevisión de la investigación sobre relaciones de pareja en países hispanohablantes (2000-2018)
Contreras, A. U., González, R. A. M., & García, M. T. I. (2021) · Interdisciplinaria Revista de Psicología y Ciencias Afines · doi:10.16888/interd.2021.38.3.2 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Alipour, S. M., Rahimzadeh, M., Tourzani, Z. M., Mahmoodi, Z., & Saeieh, S. E. (2023) · Neuropsychopharmacology Reports · doi:10.1002/npr2.12309 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Thériault, R. L., Bernier, A., & Deneault, A. (2024) · Early Childhood Research Quarterly · doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2024.12.006 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Adult attachment as a predictor of maternal gatekeeping among new parents
Aytaç-DiCarlo, F. K., & Schoppe‐Sullivan, S. J. (2023) · Personal Relationships · doi:10.1111/pere.12481 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Kayabol, N. B. A., McDaniel, B. T., Corkery, S. A., & Curran, M. A. (2016) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/s11199-016-0716-9 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Cao, H., Zhou, N., Leerkes, E. M., & Qu, J. (2018) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/fam0000416 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Despite pleasures surrounding the birth of a child (Nelson et al., 2014), both narrative (Doss & Rhoades, 2017) and meta-analytic (Mitnick, Heyman, & Smith Slep, 2009) reviews have indicated that the transition to parenthood is associated with a small-tomoderate deterioration in relationship…”
Piotrowski, K. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1086947 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Being a parent is a complex and ambiguous experience that may be related both to satisfaction and self-development and to stress, burden, and burnout (Antonucci and Mikus, 1988; Hutteman et al., 2014; Doss and Rhoades, 2017; Mikolajczak et al., 2021).”
BackgroundRay, J. K., Stürmlinger, L. L., von Krause, M., Lux, U., & Zietlow, A. (2023) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579423001335 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Couple Adaptation to the Birth of a Child: The Roles of Attachment and Perfectionism
Gingras, A., Lessard, I., Mallette, F., Brassard, A., Bernier‐Jarry, A., Gosselin, P., & de Pierrepont, C. (2020) · Journal of Marital and Family Therapy · doi:10.1111/jmft.12453 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Reimnitz, S. J., Stolz, H. E., Renegar, R. G., McCaig, J. L., & Baumgardner, M. (2023) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x221150984 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Often, relationship quality declines and con fl ict increases (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundEffects of the Parents’ Relationship on Children
Halford, W., Rhoades, G. K., & Morris, M. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-94598-9_5 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Self-citationCapaldi, N. (1971) · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Lindroos, E., Räikkönen, E., Malinen, K., & Rönkä, A. K. (2023) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-023-02659-0 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“The transition to parenthood, a period that typically begins during pregnancy and ends some months after the birth of the fi rst child (Adamsons, 2013), is both a joyful and stressful time for new parents (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundZhu, J., Racine, N. M., Tough, S., & Madigan, S. L. (2024) · Child Maltreatment · doi:10.1177/10775595241279365 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“This is particularly relevant for parents with insecure attachment styles, who may be at greater risk for decreased well-being in their romantic relationships (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Rholes et al., 2001).”
Sened, H., Bar‐Kalifa, E., Pshedetzky‐Shochat, R., Gleason, M. E. J., & Rafaeli, E. (2019) · Journal of Personality Disorders · doi:10.1521/pedi_2019_33_442 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“In the past two decades, researchers have moved beyond identifying this general phenomenon to focus on identifying which couples are at specific risk for relationship problems in the transition to parenthood (e.g., Trillingsgaard, Baucom, & Heyman, 2014; for review, see Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundCouple Efficacy and Communal Coping for HIV Prevention Among Kenyan Pregnant Couples
Musoke, P. L., Darbes, L. A., Hatcher, A. M., Helová, A., Kwena, Z., Owino, G., Bukusi, E. A., & Turan, J. M. (2022) · AIDS and Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10461-021-03559-4 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Couple HIV status (concordant positive, sero-discordant) [33] and first-time parent status [34, 35] were included as covariates in all models due to their theoretical importance and associations with couple relationship dynamics.”
MethodBécotte, K., Brassard, A., Brault‐Labbé, A., Gagné, A., & Péloquin, K. (2022) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/fare.12792 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Ghaziri, N. E., Darwiche, J., & Antonietti, J. (2019) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407519838349 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Becoming a parent has significant and enduring effects on individuals and on the couple (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Jokela, Kivimäki, Elovainio, & Keltikangas-Järvinen, 2009).”
BackgroundPre‐parenthood Sense of Self and the Adjustment to the Transition to Parenthood
Chen, E. Y., Tung, E. Y., & Enright, R. D. (2020) · Journal of Marriage and the Family · doi:10.1111/jomf.12709 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
His, hers, or theirs? Hope as a dyadic resource in early parenthood
Zahavi-Lupo, T., Lazarus, G., Pshedetzky-Shochat, R., Bar-Kalifa, E., Refoua, E., Gleason, M., & Rafaeli, E. (2022) · Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2022.2093780 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“With its depletion of resources and characteristic rise in stress and marital conflict, early infancy also brings declines in new parents’ relational well-being (e.g., Doss & Rhoades, 2017; MacDermid et al., 1990; Nomaguchi & Milkie, 2020).”
BackgroundPsychological Conditions Of Successful Maternal Role Development
Анатольевна, Я. В. (2017) · Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy · doi:10.17759/cpp.2017250105 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Bellhouse, C., Newman, L. K., Bilardi, J., & Temple-Smith, M. J. (2021) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02138-z · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“…research has demonstrated significant declines in relationship satisfaction and functioning during the transition to parenthood, with factors including pre-birth relationship problems, attachment insecurity and infants with more difficult temperaments enhancing this effect (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundGuzzo, K. B. (2020) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x20909145 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“…2014), unmarried expectant couples tend to have an idealized notion of their future family life and are highly optimistic about marriage (Edin & Kefalas, 2005), having yet to face the actual challenges of parenting that reduce relationship quality, at least in the short term (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundInfluentialBirth trauma: the elephant in the nursery
Butterworth, S., Butterworth, R., & Law, G. U. (2023) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646838.2023.2264877 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Psychological wellbeing in couples appears to deteriorate across the first postnatal year (Moreno-Rosset et al., 2016; Paulson & Bazemore, 2010) with relationship strain, frustration and couple separation frequently reported (; Delicate et al., 2018; Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
Barrett, N., & Charlton, E. (2025) · Journal of Family Studies · doi:10.1080/13229400.2024.2447864 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“While TTP has been identified as a time of deterioration in partner relationships, this relationship decline does not usually continue into the longer term after TTP has concluded (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
InfluentialLazarus, G., Pshedetzky‐Shochat, R., Zahavi, T., Gleason, M. E. J., & Rafaeli, E. (2021) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075211043291 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“The present study joins efforts to explore both personal and relational effects of emotion differentiation, by studying it during a specific and often dramatic juncture in individuals’ lives: namely, the TTP (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundIn it Together: Relationship Transitions and Couple Concordance in Health and Well-Being
Pauly, T., Weber, E., Hoppmann, C. A., Gerstorf, D., & Scholz, U. (2023) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/01461672231180450 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“We consider the following variables as covariates in sensitivity analyses, which have been associated with couples’ health and well-being throughout transitions: age, sex, number of children, relationship duration, education, and household income (Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Mitchell & Lovegreen, 2009).”
Wang, G. A., Dawson, S. J., Huberman, J. S., & Rosen, N. O. (2024) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075231224327 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Although prior research suggests that relationship factors such as attachment (Simpson et al., 2003) and relationship satisfaction (Doss & Rhoades, 2017) have implications for how new parents adjust, no studies to our knowledge have examined cognitive emotion regulation strategies speci fi c to…”
BackgroundCournoyer, A., Laurin, J. C., Daspe, M., Laniel, S., & Huppé, A.-S. (2021) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407521993561 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Doss and Rhoades (2017)’s review proposed several individual and relationship variables influencing the magnitude of post-birth changes, including poor communication.”
InfluentialExploring Influences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Communication: Negative, Positive, or Both?
Marks, L. D., Dollahite, D. C., Kelley, H. H., Kimball, E. R., & James, S. L. (2023) · Marriage & Family Review · doi:10.1080/01494929.2023.2170014 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Although research suggests that relationship satisfaction declines following the birth of the first child, several interventions around communication and coparenting have been shown to have buffering against the decline, particularly amongst high-risk couples (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundZhong, Q., & Xu, Y.-J. (2024) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-023-02774-y · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“…from their partners; however, if such support is lacking or absent altogether, they may experience negative emotions like disappointment and anger, which can adversely impact marital adjustment in a detrimental manner (Carlson & VanOrman, 2017; Doss & Rhoades, 2017; Kuo & Johnson, 2021).”
Tavares, I. M., Brandelli, Y. N., Dawson, S. J., Impett, E. A., Debrot, A., & Rosen, N. O. (2024) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075241232704 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“…for new parents, given that novel challenges arise during this period (e.g., breastfeeding, fatigue/sleep deprivation, parenting decisions, couple members ’ changing roles and responsibilities) which may create an intense threat or demand on the individual and/or couple (Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
BackgroundChin, K. A., Chopik, W. J., Wardecker, B. M., LaBelle, O. P., Moors, A. C., & Edelstein, R. S. (2020) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104810 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Given that many new parents experience declines in relationship functioning after the birth of their baby (e.g., Mitnick et al., 2009; Doss and Rhoades, 2017), it would be interesting to examine in future studies whether declines in relationship quality are associated with increases in postpartum T.”
BackgroundRamsdell, E., Calkins, F. C., & Brock, R. L. (2024) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075241243030 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Thus, understanding intimate relationship functioning across the transition to parenthood is critical (Belsky & Rovine, 1990; Cowan & Cowan, 2000; Doss & Rhoades, 2017).”
Impact evaluation of the family expectations program and moderation by sociodemographic disadvantage
Ritchie, L. L., Stanley, S. M., Allen, M. O. T., & RHOADES, G. K. (2022) · Family Process · doi:10.1111/famp.12762 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Self-citationRenegar, R. G., Stolz, H. E., Baumgardner, M., Reimnitz, S. J., & McCaig, J. L. (2022) · Family Relations · doi:10.1111/fare.12734 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Examining changes in affection and “Feeling touched out” after the birth of a child
van Raalte, L. J., Burke, T. J., DeGroot, J. M., & Mellow, A. J. (2023) · Journal of Family Communication · doi:10.1080/15267431.2022.2142229 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Previous work indicates that same sex- and opposite-sex couples experience similar relational changes after the birth of a child (Doss & Rhoades, 2017), but in the context of feeling touched out, it would be informative to explore primary and secondary caregiver experiences in different relational…”
BackgroundLindroos, E., Räikkönen, E., Malinen, K., Leach, L., Matias, M., & Rönkä, A. K. (2025) · Journal of Marriage and the Family · doi:10.1111/jomf.70001 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
- Authors
- Doss, B. D., & Rhoades, G. K.
- Affiliations
- University of Miami (US)
- University of Denver (US)
- Corresponding author
- Doss, Brian D
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Psychology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-02
- Volume
- 13
- Pages
- 25-28
- ISSN
- 2352-250X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2339190606
- Cited by
- 191
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 1.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Keywords
- transition to parenthood, romantic relationships, postpartum stress, relationship decline, attachment security, infant temperament, couple-based interventions, new parents
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
